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First Bino Buy Advice (1 Viewer)

N

Nocturne87

Member
Hey guys,

I'm new to birding and am looking to pick up my first pair or roof prism binos. I currently use porros, but these are bulky and heavy. Anyway, since I'm a graduate student, my funds are LIMITED. I'm looking at spending no more than $300. I also was thinking of 10x42 for the mag and size, as I like a bit more light. I have narrowed my choices down to:

Zen Ray ZRS 10x42
vanguard Endeavor ED 10x42
Celestron trailseeker 10x42

I feel like these are the best value for the money

Not ruling out:
Bushnell legend ultra HD 10x42 -- they are on sale with a $100 mail in rebate!

Any advice would be great!
thanks!
 
I don't think you could really go wrong with any of them. The Endeavor and the Bushnell both use ED glass in their design so, theoretically, they should control chromatic aberration better than the other two. I did say "theoretically" though. In the real world the inclusion of ED glass in the objective design does not always result in superior image quality. You can design a binocular with good CA control that doesn't use ED glass.

I am not a big fan of 10x binoculars but I would probably choose the ZRS out of the group. Zen Ray's customer service has always been very good in my opinion plus the ZRS is the shortest (most compact) binocular out of the ones you listed.

Just my two cents.
 
FrankD said:
I don't think you could really go wrong with any of them. The Endeavor and the Bushnell both use ED glass in their design so, theoretically, they should control chromatic aberration better than the other two. I did say "theoretically" though. In the real world the inclusion of ED glass in the objective design does not always result in superior image quality. You can design a binocular with good CA control that doesn't use ED glass.

I am not a big fan of 10x binoculars but I would probably choose the ZRS out of the group. Zen Ray's customer service has always been very good in my opinion plus the ZRS is the shortest (most compact) binocular out of the ones you listed.

Just my two cents.
Click to expand...

I have heard that the CA on the vanguards is not that great, but I didn't want to rule them out until I get some more information. The bushnells are said to have extremely weak diopter rings, but for less than $150, they might be worth a gamble.
 
All three are pretty decent for the money. Just get the one that has the specs that suit you. However, when you consider that you can get a new Ultra Legend HD for $115 (after rebate), then I would recommend that one for someone on a budget. Just read the instructions carefully, and adjust the diopter ring in a correct fashion.

I like their 36mm binos, and even though I have absolutely no use for one, I'm thinking about buying one anyway, just for the heck of it. It's only eighty bucks.......
 
I have the bushnell ultra HDs 10x42s
they have great optics for the money
are more compact, and light weight, than many 42s

other have complained that they do not hold up
I have had no problems-at least not yet
but maybe not the best for hard use

edj
 
I've read a lot saying the bushnell legends are great glass in crudely built containers.. What do you guys think? If I could afford the ZEN RAY ED glass, that would be my first option.
 
Not to confuse you further but you might also consider the Sightron SII 10x42s. Prices are usually between $160 and $180. I owned the 8x42 version and was very impressed with them for the price. They have similar optical quality to all of the others you mentioned.

However, if price really is an issue for you then it would be hard to ignore the Legends with the rebate.
 
Nocturne87 said:
Zen Ray ZRS 10x42
vanguard Endeavor ED 10x42
Celestron trailseeker 10x42

I feel like these are the best value for the money.
Click to expand...

I would honestly put the Nikon Monarch 5 in the same category as the Zen Ray and Vanguard.

B&H has the 10x42 model for $276 at the moment with free 3-day shipping:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/910864-REG/nikon_7577_10x42_monarch_5.html

As a secondary, cheaper option, you may want to consider the Vortex Diamondback 10x42:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/599328-USA/Vortex_D241_10x42_Diamondback_Binocular.html
 
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A big welcome from the other side of NC (the PRETTY side!) o:D

I would guess the Endeavor from your original list. cnick beat me to it but the Diamondback is ALWAYS my first suggestion in this range also.

And... I would humbly suggest going with 8x bins for birding... I KNOW...I KNOW... 10x seems better... I have been there! :t:

I was advised by a birder AND the salesman against 10x but I had it in my brain that only old weak people couldn't hold binos steady, and I would see more OF the bird with the 10x, and I couldn't be swayed! Those burned up in a car fire and I have always had 8x as my primary pair ever since. I do have a 10x but they are secondary to my 8x. The 8x will suit you in more areas and in more ways than the 10x...but you may be stubborn(er) as I was...:-O
 
Please disregard the two previous attempts at responding. If indeed you are considering a 10X42, amazon is currently offering the Bresser Everest in that configuration for $156.40 which is an absolute steal! That even includes free shipping if you have prime. Concerning the 10X42 Everest, I recently had the opportunity to try one and I must say I was somewhat impressed w/the build quality & performance. It easily outclasses the Bushnell Legend Ultra and can be had for a mere pittance more. Can't go wrong for 150 bucks! Also, Frank D. gave a rather comprehensive review about a year ago of this bino in the 8X42 configuration which you might want to read. He was spot on!
 
Thanks for all the advice guys! As far as the 10x42, the reason I would prefer these is because I like to deer hunt in the fall and while on my stand, I typically have the opportunity to do some birding. This gives me a really stable viewing position. Although if I were walking through the woods birding, I would definitely take the 8x.
 
Nocturne87 said:
Thanks for all the advice guys! As far as the 10x42, the reason I would prefer these is because I like to deer hunt in the fall and while on my stand, I typically have the opportunity to do some birding. This gives me a really stable viewing position. Although if I were walking through the woods birding, I would definitely take the 8x.
Click to expand...

Watch yourself, when you mention hunting here.

A poster in another thread was attacked, by a poster from Europe, when he mentioned that he would be taking a hunting trip to New Zealand.
 
Maljunulo said:
Watch yourself, when you mention hunting here.

A poster in another thread was attacked, by a poster from Europe, when he mentioned that he would be taking a hunting trip to New Zealand.
Click to expand...

Sooner or later these minor, low view, specialist interest internet forums will grow up and see the bigger picture.

Recently the UK Government contracted Norwegian rangers to shoot every reindeer on South Georgia (a UK Crown Dependency), where the reindeer have been an ecologically invasive species damaging the environment and originally introduced by Norwegian whale hunters.

In the last two years over 5000 individual animals have been culled, not that you'd see it reported in the media.

Best wishes,
 
Samandag said:
Sooner or later these minor, low view, specialist interest internet forums will grow up and see the bigger picture.

Recently the UK Government contracted Norwegian rangers to shoot every reindeer on South Georgia (a UK Crown Dependency), where the reindeer have been an ecologically invasive species damaging the environment and originally introduced by Norwegian whale hunters.

In the last two years over 5000 individual animals have been culled, not that you'd see it reported in the media.

Best wishes,
Click to expand...

We don't see much about those two-legged animals who sponsor dog fights, either. These poor dogs just want to live. Yet, the lucky ones have only one eye missing, all four limbs, or enough jaw left to chew a little food. |:(|

Bill
 
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